A former linebacker, Allen had several moments last season before the Jets picked up veteran safety Ed Reed. Allen was in a battle with first-round pick Calvin Pryor and veteran Dawan Landry at safety prior to getting a shot out wide. He responded by picking off both Geno Smith and Michael Vick during drills on Monday, prompting the media to circle and Ryan to wax poetic about what could be.

Classic Rex here. Milliner and McDougle get hurt, they move Allen to CB and after one practice Rex is gushing about his ability. #NYJ

“I never said I had to have the best corner in football,” Ryan said. “That’s not it. My defenses work, period. I don’t care what it is. We take what we have, and then we work around it.

“One thing we know for a fact is that the defense is going to be an outstanding defense,” Ryan added.

General manager John Idzik has received a lot of criticism for not addressing corner, especially considering the Jets recently had Darrelle Revis and Antonio Cromartie anchoring the position. He chose to let Cromartie walk during free agency and refused to go all in on several of the top names on the market, including Vontae Davis, Alterraun Verner and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, despite having plenty of salary cap space to do so.

So with already gaping holes at corner, the Jets appeared to be ill equipped to handle serious injuries, which is exactly what they suffered on Sunday when McDougle was lost for the season and Milliner knocked out of commission for perhaps up to a month, though his ankle was still too swollen Monday to have an MRI.

Idzik, however, told reporters Monday he’s not overly concerned.

Idzik says the "silver lining" is #Jets get to evaluate all their players in addressing CB situation. Says team's depth is a positive